Processing of Aloe Vera Leaf Gel: A Review
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American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences 3 (2): 502-510, 2008
ISSN 1557-4989
© 2008 Science Publications
Processing of Aloe Vera Leaf Gel: A Review
C.T. Ramachandra and P. Srinivasa Rao
Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering,
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721302, India
Abstract: Proper scientific investigations on Aloe vera have gained more attention over the last decade
due to its reputable, medicinal, pharmaceutical and food properties. Some publications have appeared
in reputable scientific journals that have made appreciable contributions to the discovery of the
functions and utilizations of Aloe vera lacking processing of leaf gel. Present processing techniques
aims at producing best quality aloe products but end aloe products contain very little or virtually no
active ingredients. Hence, appropriate processing techniques should be employed during processing in
order to extend the use of aloe vera gel. Further research needs to be done to unravel the myth
surrounding the biological activity and the exploitation of aloe constituents.
Key words: Cold process, Qmatrix process, whole leaf process, desiccant air dehydration, time
temperature, sanitation process
INTRODUCTION effectiveness of stabilized gel, they are rarely
acceptable psychologically to the user. The color
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) is a perennial change is totally unacceptable in some products. It
plant of liliacea family with turgid green leaves joined therefore becomes imperative that a simple but efficient
at the stem in a rosette pattern. Aloe vera leaves are processing technique needs to be developed, especially
formed by a thick epidermis (skin) covered with cuticle in the aloe beverage industry, to improve product
surrounding the mesophyll, which can be differentiated quality, to preserve and maintain almost all of the
into chlorenchyma cells and thinner walled cells bioactive chemical entities naturally present in the plant
forming the parenchyma (fillet). The parenchyma cells during processing.
contain a transparent mucilaginous jelly which is The production process of aloe products involve
referred to as Aloe vera gel. crushing, grinding or pressing of the entire leaf of the
Potential use of aloe products often involves some Aloe vera plant to produce an Aloe vera juice, followed
type of processing, e.g. heating, dehydration and by various steps of filtration and stabilization of the
grinding. Processing may cause irreversible juice. The resulting solution is then incorporated in or
modifications to the polysaccharides, affecting their mixed with other solutions or agents to produce a
original structure which may promote important pharmaceutical, cosmetic or food product.
changes in the proposed physiological and In the food industry, Aloe vera has been utilized as
pharmaceutical properties of these constituents. a resource of functional food, especially for the
Processing of Aloe vera gel derived from the leaf pulp preparation of health food drinks and other beverages,
of the plant, has become a big industry worldwide due including tea. The amount of Aloe vera that finds its
to the application in the food industry. It has been application in the pharmaceutical industry in not
utilized as a resource of functional food, especially for negligible as far as the manufacturing of topical
the preparation of health drinks which contain Aloe ointments, gel preparations, tablets and capsules are
vera gel and which have no laxative effects. It is also concerned. Aloe vera gel also finds its application in the
used in other food products, for example, milk, ice cosmetic and toiletry industries, where it is used as a
cream confectionery and so on. However, Aloe vera gel base for the preparation of creams, lotions, soaps,
juice was not very popular due to their laxative effect shampoos and facial cleaners.
and majority of them contained absolutely no active Unfortunately, because of improper processing
mucilaginous polysaccharides or acemannan. Although procedures, many of these so-called aloe products
colour changes have little relation to the therapeutic contain, very little or virtually no active ingredients,
Corresponding Author: C.T. Ramachandra, Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology,
Kharagpur-721302, India Tel: +919449627325 Fax: +913222282244
502Am. J. Agril. & Biol. Sci., 3 (2): 502-510, 2008
namely, mucopolysaccharides. In view of the known holds secrete to Aloe vera’s medicinal properties. Many
wide spectrum of biological activities possessed by the researchers such as Collins and Collins[7], Fine and
leaves of the Aloe vera plant and its wide spread use, it Brown[8] and Crew[9] have attributed pain-relieving
has become imperative that the leaf be processed with properties to Aloe vera gel.
the aim of retaining essential bioactive components. It is virtually impossible to prevent contamination
The review aims to provide a succinct resume of by the leaf exudates during commercial extraction of
information regarding Aloe vara to serve as a reference Aloe vera gel. It is also believed that the intact leaves
for further investigations about this potential ingredient, anthraquinones and their derivatives may diffuse into
to develop an effective method for processing of Aloe the gel from the bundle sheath cells; this possibly
vera leaf, in the process, preserve and maintain almost supports the conclusion of Row et al.[10], who states that
all of the bioactive chemical entities naturally present in the healing agent is passed from the rind into gel on
the Aloe vera leaf. The analysis deals with biological standing.
activity of leaf gel, gel stabilization technique, heat Davis[11], using the conductor-orchestra concept,
treatment of leaf gel, processing methodologies like explains the relationship that exists among over 200
cold-process, whole leaf process Qmatrix process, biologically active compounds within Aloe vera. One of
activealoe process, desiccant air dehydration, total these molecules, a polysaccharide and acts as the
process Aloe vera and Time Temperature and conductor that leads a symphony composed of 200+
Sanitation (TSS) process. biologically active compounds. Davis concluded that,
as the conductor, the polysaccharide modulates the
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF biological activity between the surrounding orchestra
ALOE VERA molecules to work synergitically.
In view of these findings, it has seen presumptuous
The controversy over the identity of the active for any scientific research to consider or even to
substance(s) in Aloe vera has not been settled. Also, postulate that any one substance is responsible for the
various mechanisms have been proposed for the alleged biological activity seen in Aloe vera gel.
healing properties of Aloe vera. Since no single Unfortunately, it is not easy to differentiate
definitive active ingredient has been found, it is between a good quality product and one that has been
commonly suggested that there may be some synergitic adulterated. Although price can be a guide-the more
action between the polysaccharide base and other expensive the Aloe vera, the better the product-this
components[1]. does not always apply. In the end, the key to judging
According to Mackee[2], vitamin D was the healing Aloe vera is by results.
agent, but Row and Parks[3] reported the absence of The things that happens to make aloe products less
vitamin D. Morton[4] suggested a theory stating the desirable or cause it to become virtually non beneficial
seeming efficacy of aloe pulp may be attributed to its are stem from the harvesting of the leaves, processing
high water content, i.e., 96%+, providing a means of and distribution of leaves. The freshly removed leaves
making water available for injured tissue without must go directly into production or must be
sealing it off from the air. This recovery would explain appropriately refrigerated to prevent a loss of biological
the instant soothing effect of Aloe vera gel has on activity, principally through the degradative
burns, but would not account for the long term effect of decomposition of the gel matrix. The value of aloe
healing. The action of Aloe vera is simply due to its further diminishes if the processing procedure applies
moisturizing and emollient effects, hence, its use in too much heat for too long a time. Extended heating
cosmetics. renders the product free from bacterial contamination
Various researchers reported that the effective but effectively destroys aloe’s mucopolysaccharide and
components for wound healing may be tannic acid[5] consequently reduces its efficacy[12]. For therapeutic
and a type of polysaccharide[6]. Other researchers have purposes, the most efficacious Aloe vera is that derived
also reported anti-inflammatory effects of complex from whole-leaf aloe and cold-processed.
polysaccharides, glycoproteines and sulfated Aloe is not just aloe because the manufacturer says
polysaccharides. However, there are many examples in so. To assure that an aloe product at a price worth
the literature indicating that polysaccharides can exhibit paying and to achieve the desired results, it is
pharmacological and physiological activities without recommended to look for International Aloe Science
help from other components. Council (IASC) certification seal on literature and
It is therefore, logical that the mucilaginous gel of packaging. Another way to ascertain whether an Aloe
Aloe vera plant, which is essentially a polysaccharide, vera product has a high healing capacity is to find out
503Am. J. Agril. & Biol. Sci., 3 (2): 502-510, 2008
the number of mucopolysaccharides (MPS) present. in greatly reduced activity levels. They, however,
This is sometimes included on the labeling. The highest suggested that the best method of pasteurization is
therapeutic value is found in product containing HTST (High Temperature Shot Time), followed by
between 10,000 and 20,000 MPS per liter. flash cooling to 5°C or below.
In all these processing techniques, stabilization can
GEL STABILIZATION TECHNIQUE be achieved by the addition of preservatives and other
additives. The use of sodium benzoate, potassium
Aloe vera gel is the mucilaginous jelly obtained sorbate, citric acid, vitamin E in synergism and the
from parenchyma cells of the Aloe vera plant. When resultant efficacy, has been reported.
exposed to air, the gel rapidly oxidizes, decomposes
and looses much of its biological activities. Different
HEAT TREATMENT OF GEL
researchers have described different processing
techniques of the gel with regards to its sterilization and
Xiu Lian Chang et al.[14] conducted research on the
stabilization, i.e., cold processing or heat treatment.
gel juice from Aloe vera to investigate the effects of
However, the fundamental principle underlying these
heat treatment on bioactive substances including
processing techniques remains almost the same.
polysaccharide and barbaloin. The effect of methanol
Regardless of the relative quality of the plant, the best
solvent on compositional variations of barbaloin was
results are obtained when leaves are processed
also taken into consideration. Results show that the
immediately after harvesting. This is because
polysaccharide from Aloe vera exhibited a maximal
degradative decomposition of the gel matrix begins due
to natural enzymatic reactions, as well as the growth of stability at 70°C decreasing either at higher or lower
bacteria, due to the presence of oxygen. temperatures. Heating promoted a remarkable decrease
The entire process involves washing the freshly in barbaloin content depending on temperature and
harvested Aloe vera leaves in a suitable bactericide, time, more affected than polysaccharide of the gel juice
followed by processing of the leaves to mechanically from Aloe vera. Barbaloin is unstable when dissolved
separate the gel matrix from the outer cortex. The in methanol resulting in the transformation into a series
separation of the gel from the leaf could be facilitated of unidentified compounds, in addition to aloe emodin
by the addition of cellulose dissolving compounds, e.g., with the period of storage at 4°C in refrigerator.
cellulose. Thus, the aloe liquid obtained is treated with The effect of air-drying temperature (from 30 to
activated carbon to decolourize the liquid and remove 80°C) on dehydration curves and functional properties
aloin and anthraquinones, which have laxative effects. (water retention capacity, WRC; swelling, SW; fat
This is especially so if the stabilized gel is to be used as adsorption capacity, FAC) of Aloe vera cubes has been
a drink formulation for internal use. The resultant liquid investigated by Simal et al.[15] A diffusion model taking
is then subjected to various steps of filtration, into account sample shrinkage has been proposed and
sterilization and stabilization. The stabilized liquid, solved by using a finite difference method. The
thus, obtained could be concentrated to reduce the effective diffusivities estimated with the proposed
amount of water or, alternatively, almost all of the model varied with the air-drying temperature according
water removed to yield a powder. to the Arrhenius law except for the experiment carried
In cold processing technique, the entire processing out at 80°C, where case-hardening took place.
steps are accomplished without the application of heat. Simulation of Aloe vera drying curves by using the
Coats[13] reported the use of enzymes, like glucose model was accurate (percentage of explained variance
oxidase and catalase, to inhibit the growth of aerobic (%var): 99.7±0.1%). Furthermore, drying kinetics of
organisms within Aloe vera gel and, thereby, sterilize it. Aloe vera cubes of different sizes to those used to
Other sterilization steps reported in the cold processing develop the model could be satisfactorily predicted
includes exposing the gel to ultraviolet light, followed (%var: 99.5±0.2%). The three studied functional
by a micron filtration. properties exhibited a maximum when drying
In the heat treatment processing, sterilization is temperature was 40°C decreasing either at higher or
achieved by subjecting the aloe liquid obtained from the lower temperatures.
activated carbon treatment to pasteurization at high Physico-chemical modifications promoted by heat
temperature. Aloecorp[12] has reported the biological treatment and dehydration at different temperatures
activity of Aloe vera gel essentially remains intact when (30-80°C) on acemannan, a bioactive polysaccharide
the gel is heated at 65°C for periods less than 15 min. from Aloe vera parenchyma were evaluated by Antoni
Extended periods or higher temperatures have resulted Femenia et al.[16] Modification of acemannan, a storage
504Am. J. Agril. & Biol. Sci., 3 (2): 502-510, 2008
polysaccharide, was particularly significant when fillet is washed again ensuring that there is no
dehydration was performed above 60°C. Heating possibility of bacterial contamination, after which, the
promoted marked changes in the average molecular fillet is inserted into the pulper. The pulper has a
weight of the bioactive polysaccharide, increasing from refrigerated system that reduces the temperature of the
45 kDa, in fresh aloe, to 75 kDa, for samples resulting juice for optimum conversion, when the
dehydrated at 70 and 80°C respectively. The holding tank is full; it is left for 24 h to decant. Each
importance of physico-chemical modifications detected tank is scientifically analyzed and certified, which takes
in dehydrated Aloe vera parenchyma depends on approximately 170 h. The way the inner gel is extracted
temperature used during the drying process. Regarding from the leaf is very important. As mentioned above,
the chemical composition, the bioactive polysaccharide the latex portion of the leaf is located between the rind
acemannan underwent similar losses of mannosyl and the inner gel. The gel should be removed from the
residues when dehydration was performed between leaf without disrupting this area so that little or no latex
30 and 60°C, above the latter temperature, losses (aloin) gets into the gel. If latex does get into the gel, it
increased significantly. The physico-chemical makes the gel very bitter. This bitter taste can be
alterations of the main type of polysaccharide may have distinguished from the vegetable taste of the inner gel
important implications on the physiological activities with little experience. Just because Aloe juice is bitter,
attributed to the Aloe vera plant. it does not mean that it contains 100% pure Aloe juice
from the inner fillet. If the gel is extracted by
PROCESSING OF ALOE VERA LEAVES mechanical methods, the Latex can mix with the inner
gel resulting in a loss in purity. Only by hand filleting
Basic methods of processing Aloe vera leaves are the leaf it is able to cleanly separate the gel from the
rind. The gel is then ground to a liquid and the pulp is
• Traditional hand filleted Aloe processing removed. All this is performed at the farm, so only
• Whole leaf Aloe vera processing freshest leaves are processed.
• Total process Aloe vera processing The hand filleting method is very labour intensive.
Owing to this fact, machines have been designed and
Traditional hand filleted aloe vera: In order to avoid employed which attempt to simulate the hand filleted
techniques, but generally the product contains higher
contamination of internal fillet with the yellow sap, the
amounts of the anthraquinones laxatives than the
traditional hand-filleting method of processing Aloe
traditional hand filleted approach.
leaves was developed. In this method, the lower 1 inch
of the leaf base (the white part attached to the large Whole leaf aloe vera processing: This whole leaf
rosette stem of the plant), the tapering point (2-4 inch) process employed in the making of aloe juice allows the
of the leaf top and the short, sharp spines located along cellulose (skin) to be dissolved, as well as measurable
the leaf margins are removed by a sharp knife, then the amounts of aloin is to be removed. This total procedure
knife, is introduced into the mucilage layer below the is done entirely by a cold process treatment. Maximum
green rind avoiding the vascular bundles and the top efficiency is thus assured, resulting in a product rich in
rind is removed. The bottom rind is similarly removed polysaccharides.
and the rind parts, to which a significant amount of In this process, the base and tip are removed as
mucilage remains attached, are discarded. Another previously delineated and then the leaf is cut into
portion of the mucilage layer accumulated on the top of sections and ground into particulate slurry. The method
the filleting table. This is of critical concern because the for producing whole leaf Aloe vera begins by placing
highest concentration of potentially beneficial Aloe the whole leaf in a Fitz Mill grinding unit that
constituents are found in this mucilage, as this layer pulverizes the entire leaf into a soup-like structure
represents the constituents synthesized by the vascular (Fig. 1). The material is then treated with, special
bundle cells empowered by energy developed in the chemical products which break down the hexagonal
green (chlorophyll- containing) rind cells through sun- structure of the fillet releasing the constituents, by
induced photosynthesis. means of a series of coarse and screening filters, or
The materials of the mucilage layer, subsequent to passage through a juice press, the rind particles are
their synthesis, are distributed to the storage cells removed, the expressed juice is then passed through
(cellulose-reinforced hexagons) of the fillet, a process various filtering columns which remove the undesirable
that is accompanied by dilution owing to the water (the laxative agents. This liquid is then pumped into large,
major fillet constituent), which is stored in the fillet stainless steel holding tanks that have been thoroughly
cells. The fillet consists of more than 99% water. The cleaned and sanitized.
505Am. J. Agril. & Biol. Sci., 3 (2): 502-510, 2008
the aloin and aloe emodin are removed. This filtered
product is then placed in a second holding tank.
At this point, a press filter containing five micron
filter paper is attached to this holding tank. The Aloe
liquid is passed through this filter medium until it
shows no signs of residue. Cold filtration processing is
then done as final purification procedure before the
Aloe liquid is ready for stabilization.
This process, performed properly, can produce a
constituent-rich juice (generally containing three times
or more constituents than hand filleted juice), which
should be virtually free from the laxative
anthraquinones, this process was developed in the
1980’s.
Total process aloe vera processing: In this new
revolutionary approach, The Aloe leaves are hand
filleted by the traditional, old fashioned, labour
intensive method. Then the green rinds and the
mucilage layer from the tabletop are processed by a
newly developed propriety methodology. A
combination of the products produced by these two
procedures produces an aloe product called Total
Process Aloe, which contains an enviably high
concentration of desirable constituents, which are
virtually free from undesirable laxative anthraquinones.
The traditional Hand-Fillet methodology, coupled
with the newly developed proprietary handling of the
refuse of the traditional methods (green rinds and
tabletop mucilage) and a geographical area where aloe
plants thrive have been combined in achieving the
superior quality of Total Process Aloe. Total Process
Aloe contains considerably higher concentrations of
Fig. 1: Process flow diagram for whole leaf aloe vera total solids, calcium, magnesium and malic acid, the
processing major parameters of quality utilized and recommended
by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) for
Once the tank is filled, it is hooked-up to a de- certification.
pulping extractor. This machine removes the large
pieces of pulp and leaves that the initial grinding MAJOR UNIT OPERATIONS IN
process developed. The result is the separation of the PROCESSING
Aloe vera liquid and the pulp, which consists of the OF ALOE VERA LEAF GEL
particles of Aloe leaf that have been ground and the
naturally occurring pulp in the Aloe gel. The second Reception of raw materials: The Aloe vera leaves
phase of processing consists of passing the Aloe liquid after harvesting were preferably transported in
through a series of filters that remove the aloin and aloe refrigerated vans from the field to the processing place.
emodin (bitter-tasting, harsh laxatives) as well as any The leaves should be sound, undamaged, mold/rot free
microscopic traces of leaves, sand or other particles. and matured (3-4 years) in order to keep all the active
A press filter is used during this phase. First, the ingredients in full concentration[17]. However, the
press filter is attached to the storage tank containing the composition of these active ingredients are subtly
pre-filtered Aloe liquid. The press filter's carbon-coated affected by seasonal, climatic and soil variations. One
plates absorb the aloin and aloe emodin that is a by- important factor that must be considered is the
product of grinding the whole leaf. The Aloe liquid is handling/treatment of the leaves after its harvesting
continually passed through the filter press until 99% of because the decomposition of the gel matrix occurs on
506Am. J. Agril. & Biol. Sci., 3 (2): 502-510, 2008
cutting due to natural enzymatic reactions and the temperature (25°C). Due to the reaction of enzymatic
activity of bacteria that are normally present on the browning, the longer the crushing/grinding time, the
leaves. This degradative process can adversely affect higher the browning index in Aloe vera gel juice[20].
the quality of the end product. Therefore, there is a need Therefore, crushing or grinding should be shortened
to carefully work towards refrigerating the freshly within 10-20 min in order to avoid the enzymatic
removed leaves within 4-6 h or get the raw material browning reaction of Aloe vera gel.
directly into production. Some information regarding
the quality of a batch of Aloe leaves can be obtained by
Addition of pectolytic enzyme: Enzymatic treatment
visual inspection (Fig. 2).
of Aloe vera gel for a long duration prior to processing
Filleting operation: The losses of biological activity is detrimental to biologically active compound such as
appeared to be the result of enzymatic activity after the polysaccharide which is the single most important
aloe leaf was removed from the plant. In fact, it was constituent in aloe. Many researches have been done on
shown that the aloe gel, once extracted from the leaf, the polysaccharides[21,22,23]. It has been reported that the
had greater stability than the gel left in the leaf. In order enzyme treatment at 50°C and within 20 min did not
to avoid the decomposition of the biological activity, induce the loss of biological activity of polysaccharide
the filleting operation must be completed within 36 h of in Aloe vera gel[24].
harvesting the leaves[18]. In the other hand, the
anthraquinone was one important factor leading to non- Filtration: This operation influences on the stability of
enzymatic browning in aloe gel product[19]. Aloe vera gel juice. For example, the product showed
the sedimentation of particles as the filtration operation
Grinding/homogenization: The major steps in this lost its control.
process include crushing or grinding. The aloe gel
fillets should be crushed and homogenized using a Addition of vitamin C and citric acid: The un-
commercial high speed tissue crusher at room pasteurized aloe gel juice was fortified with vitamin C
and citric acid to avoid browning reaction, to improve
the flavor of Aloe vera gel juice and to stabilize the
juice[25,26,27,28]. The pH of aloe gel juice was adjusted
between 3.0 and 3.5 by adding citric acid to improve
the flavour of Aloe vera gel juice.
Dearation: The aim of dearation step is to avoid the
oxidation of ascorbic acid[29], which eventually
improves the shelf life of the Aloe vera gel juice.
Pasteurization: Like the process of other vegetable
juice, this step may affect the taste, appearance and the
content of biological activity of aloe gel product. HTST
treatment (at 85-95°C for 1-2 min) is an effective
method to avoid the bad flavour and the loss of
biological activity of the Aloe vera gel[30].
Flash cooling: After pasteurization, the juice is flash
cooled to 5°C or below within 10-15 sec. This is a
crucial step to preserve biological activity of the Aloe
vera gel[30].
Storage: Relative humidity and temperature are two
most important environmental parameters that affect
product quality. Those two parameters can also affect
the amount of the volatile substances of the juice
Fig. 2: Processing flow diagram of single-strength Aloe absorbed by the packaging material[31] and
vera gel juice production consequently, affect the shelf-life of the product[32,33].
507Am. J. Agril. & Biol. Sci., 3 (2): 502-510, 2008
TIME TEMPERATURE AND conducted under 125 mm mercury vacuum at
SANITATION (TTS) PROCESS temperature below 50°C and must not exceed 2 min.
Higher vacuum and temperature will cause activity loss,
The stages of this innovative process technology is as will extend concentration times.
discussed hereunder
Freeze or spray drying: The concentrated product can
Timing of leaf process: Leaves show losses of then be freeze-dried at temperature between -45 and
biological activity beginning at 6 h following the 30°C or can be spray dried with product temperature
harvest when the leaves are stored at ambient below 60°C without the loss in biological activity.
temperatures. A decrease in activity is also evident
when the leaves are stored refrigerated, even though the DESICCANT DEHYDRATION PROCESS
rate of activity loss is greatly reduced. The losses of
activity appear to be result of enzymatic activity after This system employs a low-tech procedure used for
the leaf is removed from the plant. In fact it has been many years to dehydrate foods. The pure intact aloe
shown that the gel, once extracted from the leaf, has fillets are first washed so that the first remaining aloin
greater stability than gel which is left in the leaf. This is removed. Then they are placed into a desiccant
means that shipping of leaves, even at refrigerated dehydration chamber where desired level of relative
temperatures, will result in loss of biological activity. humidity and temperatures are maintained. Here the
The overall timing of TTS production phase are desiccant air is passed over the fillets to dry them. They
extremely critical. The processing must be completed come out of the chamber looking a little like a loofah
within 36 h of harvesting of leaves. sponge. This material is then ground to powder
and packed.
Leaf harvesting and handling: Biological activity is By using this several important objectives are
also due to the microbial decay of the gel. The first achieved. There is no concentration of the aloe gel.
exposure of the inner gel to microbes is when the leaves There by eliminating one step of the process. When the
are harvested from the plant. Leaves in which the base aloe is gently dried in the natural fillet form, the
is not intact and sealed will greatly increase the macromolecules do not break down like they do with
microbial counts in the finished product. To prevent mechanical pressing. The result is when the powder is
contamination of the gel, the leaves are handled re-hydrated, it comes back to its natural slippery form it
carefully and soaked in a food grade sanitizer which had inside the leaf. It is generally believed that these
effectively reduces the microbial count in the leaf delicate macromolecules are responsible for many Aloe
exterior to acceptable levels. veras’ proteins. Because there is no need to pre-treat or
pre-concentrate the aloe, there are no residual
Flash cooling: As a crucial step to preserve biological preservatives present in the final powder.
activity, the gel should be cooled below 5°C in
10 to 15 sec following the gel extraction. Rapid cooling QMATRIX PROCESS (ALOECORP)
leads to enzymatic and microbial deterioration of the
gel, but also aids in reducing the microbial counts in the Qmatrix drying is 4th generation dehydration
product. technology, which also includes microwave and radio
frequency drying. Microwave and radio frequency
Pasteurization: Biological activity remains active drying are not appropriate for aloe as they can
when the gel is heated at 65°C for periods of less than deacetylate aloe polysaccharides and denature proteins.
15 min. Extended periods or higher temperatures will For high quality foods, freeze-drying is traditionally
results in greatly reduced activity levels. The best used but it is relatively expensive (up to 10 times that of
method of pasteurization is HTST (High Temperature forced air dryers) and is limited to relatively small
Short Time), which expose the gel to elevated throughputs. Spray drying can be used for large
temperatures for periods of 1 to 3 min. Once heated the throughput but the quality of the resultant product is
gel is flash cooled to 5°C or below. inferior to that produced by freeze-drying due to
volatile losses and heat damage. The Qmatrix process is
Concentration: The gel obtained using the a novel proprietary method of dehydration in enabling
pasteurization and flash cooling methods can be the dehydration of aloe while maintaining its integrity
concentrated under vacuum without the loss of with respect to flavour, colour and nutrients. It is
biological activity. The concentration operation must be comparable to freeze drying in quality aspects but
508Am. J. Agril. & Biol. Sci., 3 (2): 502-510, 2008
without the high operation costs (http://www. CONCLUSIONS
aloecorp.com).
A review on processing of Aloe vera leaf gel has
Advantages of this process: revealed Aloe vera as a highly potential functional and
valuable ingredient that exhibits relatively impressive
• Unique in the Aloe industry biological functions of great interest in cosmetic,
• Exclusive to Aloecorp pharmaceutical and food industries. It also revealed the
• Gentle low temperature/short time drying present processing technologies viz., gel stabilization
• Superior sensory attributes retained (Academic technique, biological activity of aloe leaf gel and the
study) effect of heat treatment on various constituents of gel.
• Superior retention of nutrients and bioactivity The process technologies like desiccant dehydration of
(Academic study) aloe cubes, Qmatrix process, low temperature short
• Atmospheric pressure (no vacuum) time heat treatment process, activealoe process, Time
Temperature and Sanitation Process, Total Process
• Energy efficient (Green)
Aloe vera are the potential innovative process
• Environmentally friendly (Green)
technologies.
• Superior solubility characteristics
• New proprietary products due to versatility REFERENCES
Solubility analysis of Qmatrix process: Spray dried 1. Leung, A.Y., 1978. Aloe vera in cosmetics.
aloe gel powder solubility was compared with Qmatrix Excelsa, 8: 65-68.
processed powder. Equal quantities of powders were 2. Mackee, G.M., 1938. X-ray and Radium in the
added at the same time to the same volume of room Treatment of Diseases of the Skin. Lea and Febiger
temperature water. Spray dried aloe clumps and floats (Eds.). Philadelphia, PA, pp: 319-320.
whereas Qmatrix processed powder immediately 3. Row, T.D. and L.M. Parks, 1941. Phytochemical
disperse and settle to the bottom of the vessel. After study of aloe vera leaf. J. Am. Pharm. Assoc.,
15 sec of gentle stirring the Qmatrix processed material 30: 262-266.
is completely in solution while spray dried powder is 4. Mortan, J.F., 1961. Folk uses and commercial
still clumped on the surface. exploitation of Aloe leaf pulp. Econ. Bot., 15: 311-
319.
ACTIVEALOE PROCESS 5. Freytag, A., 1954. Suggested role of traumatic acid
in Aloe wound healing. Pharmzie, 9: 705
Activealoe is Aloe vera manufactured by a (PUBMED) (INFORTIEVE).
patented process, developed using bioactivity guided 6. Kameyama, S., 1979. Wound healing composition
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